Depression by Regan Broussard

Do you ever feel a sudden wave of sadness? Lose your will to get anything done? Or even become so lost in your own thoughts you become overwhelmed and just shut everything out? Anxiety and depression are two of the most common disorders in today’s world. Depression is a mental health disorder that confirms having a frequent change in high and low mood swings, complete distaste in engaging in any daily activity that life has to offer, which often interferes with the way they socialize throughout society (National Institute of Mental Health: Depression). Anxiety is the intense and excessive stress in normal everyday life situations. You’re always worried and it can become so severe that it consumes you and can also interfere with your daily life. These epidemics are important because they are a huge factor in the rise of suicide in the United States (Teen Suicide). Depression and anxiety may cause one to feel trapped in their own problems, which leads the individual to believe that they only have one way out of their misery. To reduce the effects of depression and anxiety, we should be more proactive about it. It should take the first onset of these epidemics, whether it is talking about it, or being medicated, to provide urgency to get help. We should not just let the epidemic grow inside of an individual because it’ll spread like a wildfire. Also, being vulnerable enough as the person with depression and anxiety, to express everything you’ve gone through which may have affected you in a traumatizing way, will also be helpful. When you know the symptoms, and your “norm” you’re already one step ahead. Depression especially is difficult to understand, but getting a hold on it before it becomes worse could save lives.

The origin of depression dates back to the beginning of time. Depression is said to have been around since second millennium B.C in Mesopotamia. The townsfolk believed that depression was not a physical disorder, but rather, a spiritual one. They thought that this disorder was brought on by evil, demonic entities. Therefore, a priest was called on, instead of a doctor, to relieve individuals from the demonic possession. This belief of demons existed in many cultures like ancient Greeks, Romans, Babylonians, etc,. Beatings and starvation were few of the harsh tactics used to rid the “sickened” individuals of the disease. Amongst the naive cultures who believed such a disease was demonic, only the Greeks and The Romans had physicians who thought otherwise. They thought that depression was a biological and psychological illness, which led them to adapt to more soothing and calming methods to deal with depression. (gymnastics, massages, diets, music, etc.) A Greek physician named Hippocrates made the educated guess of thinking that depression was caused by the imbalance of four body fluids. Yellow bile, black bile, phlegm and blood. His way of treating depression was through blood letting, baths, exercise and diet. The Roman philosopher, Ciero, believed that depression was caused by psychological things such as rage, grief and fear. During the 19th and 20th century, people were desperate to obtain a  hold on their lives due to the harsh effects of the disease, that they decided to get lobotomies. This treatment was intended to provide relief because the frontal lobe was destroyed in the surgery, but instead, this “treatment” caused personality changes, loss of appetite, inability to make decisions, and sometimes death. The 1950s became a significant time period for the aid in depression because Isoniazid was discovered, which caused some relief in people with depression. Then, more drugs that helped with the treatment of depression was founded/created. It is said that even today, depression derives from a combination of many causes, biological, psychological and even social factors, like grief. The causes of depression are still more difficult to understand even today, we may not ever fully understand where and why depression is so consuming. (The History of Depression)

Depression interferes with the social lives of millions (approximately 350 million people worldwide) on the daily. Depression has the power to strip away your will to socialize, which makes you become withdrawn and antisocial. This disease is extremely common and symptoms are similar amongst all regions of the world (Depression: Medical News Today). Some of your favorite celebrities battle depression like Demi Lovato, Channing Tatum, Ellen DeGeneres,etc (30 Famous People Today who have battled Depression). Unfortunately, depression is the cause of some suicides, substance use and abuse, social and family withdrawal and decreased motivation to do school/work activities. The most serious effect of these is suicide attempt/completion (15% of these individuals successfully end their lives due to the disease). Likewise, depression can become present in women postpartum, that is up to 20% of women. This can lead to fewer birth rates, and earlier deliveries. Babies who are born to a depressed mother are more likely to experience symptoms as well. They tend to be more agitated, show less enthusiasm during activities, show less attentiveness and lack expression all around. This alone puts a strain on the baby/mother bond after birth (Effects of Depression: Physical, Social effects of depression).

The effects of depression are very draining, and sadly, can lead you to think/do things you’d never imagine doing. Depression can definitely steer you away from your “normal”. For example, this past summer I faced depression due to a heartbreak. I didn’t know how to cope so I handled my emotions in a very unhealthy way. I wouldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep at night, let alone get up in the morning, I had no desire. I have always been a bubbly personality and a light in most situations, so that was not normal for me and so many of those who loved me could see that. I had completely no will to spend time with my loved ones, or even let out a laugh like I am very capable of doing. I had become very oblivious to the world and the people around me. Nothing had my full attention, i just wanted to exclude myself from everything that was going on around me. All I wanted to do was lay in bed, in the dark. I had experienced major weight loss because I was extremely unhappy. My parents were so worried that they were starting considering getting professional help of some sort. I had completely lost myself in the midst of my emotions. Going through that extreme low made me feel like there was no way possible to cease the pain I was feeling. I wholeheartedly believed there was no way out and that I’d feel that way forever. Luckily I had my family, school and cheer to pull me out of that slum and slowly get me back to my old self that I missed. The experience that lead me to that depressive state was honestly my first emotionally traumatizing situation and I had no clue how to conduct myself, therefore, my answer was to bask in my deepest emotions. That’s the power of depression. Another example is this interview I read regarding a 19 year old girl named Sarah, who expressed her experience with battling depression, hence the fact that it is genetically mutual in her family. She talked about her unwillingness to be social with her friends/family, and her constant emotion of having no real purpose in life. She shared the impact that depression had on her relationships. She tried not to tarnish any of them (fortunately she maintained them), she only became distant during her lows. Sarah shared her journey of finding the perfect physician and the perfect medications that worked for her. She encourages everyone who goes through depression to not give up, but instead to keep searching until you find the best one for you. I believe it is important that Sarah was brave enough to express her thoughts of suicide. That goes to show the correlation that depression and suicide share. Instead of bing ashamed, i think this should provide a little comfort for us as people. We are not alone, people fight some of the same battles everyday and it is humanity’s job to help each other get through the hardest times.

    Studies show that depression symptoms can be reduced if the patient begins to take medications called antidepressants. These drugs help alter one’s mood due to it affectance of brain chemicals. There are many types of medications doctors could prescribe, like SRNI (serotonin and norepinephrine inhibitors) , but, most commonly doctors will consider SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Some examples of these drugs are Escitalopram (Lexapro),  Citalopram (Celexa) and Sertraline (Prozac), just to name a few (Depression: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments). Although these medications help with altering one’s state of mind, they do come with side effects as well. Loss of appetite and fatigue are some of those effects. (Depression: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments). Another solution doctors found to be helpful in the treatment of depression is psychotherapy. It is proven that combining therapy (talking to someone, like a therapist, so that they can feel understood and not so alone) while also on the medication, is said to help tremendously, hence several studies (Depression: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments). More types of therapies that help aid in depression is cognitive behavior therapy, problem solving therapy and interpersonal therapy, which help the person cope with the depression (Depression: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments). In an experiment conducted by scientists on the Florida campus of TSRI, have found that individuals with a enigmatic receptor called GPR158, are more prone to having depression (New Research Points to better way to treat depression). These scientists did an experiment on mice (both female and male) with and without GPR158, and discovered that those with the receptor became likely to have altered mood changes after being in stressful situations, and expressed more depressive behaviors,  whereas those who did not have the receptor were more likely resilient to altered mood changes. (New Research Points to better way to treat depression). Depression is very common, especially in the teen years. Polls show that 76% of teenagers quite often feel emotions of sudden overwhelming sadness and 45% simply feel down for no reason at all (Majority of teens experienced signs of depression, poll). “Among other questions, when the high school students were asked if they knew anyone their age struggling with depression, 66% of students responded yes. While 68% of students consider mental illness to be a real illness, 32% believe mental illness to be a weakness that one needs to work on.” (Majority of teens experienced signs of depression poll). It is very scary to see how much depression affects the human race, starting at very youngs ages. It is prominent that we know the signs and get help early on.

    “He thought that life had no meaning, that nothing exists that could ever be a source of meaning, and hence there is something deeply absurd about the human quest to find meaning.” (Camus and Absurdity) Camus believed that we as people live in routine and often live meaningless lives. We act more like robots, than we do people. “There is only one really serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide.” (Camus and Absurdity) I think depression fits into Camus’ beliefs because nowadays, since depression numbers are so outstanding starting in adolescence, we often rely on pills to lighten our mood when we feel down, rather than actually trying to figure out what’s going on with our bodies/minds. We use the medication as a crutch to go through life. We just go through the motions of taking the pills, or whatever medications, everyday. There is no real cure to depression, so if you have depression, you sort of have to learn to cope with it for the rest of your life. The effects of antidepressants are only temporary, so when you want to feel better, just pop a pill (your depression medication) and you’ll feel better until it wears off again. By doing this routine, we are not fully living our lives. Camus would definitely think that depression was absurd.

    Depression is extremely common amongst our existence.It seems to only be growing. We should help each other become aware of all signs and symptoms of this disease and aid in getting help for one another, whether you are being someone’s listening ear, or you make the call to get them professional help. This disease alone is the cause of many suicides. If we can get everyone to be proactive and educated and also, attentive, then real change can be done. Maybe, slowly, but surely, people can start to feel happy and not like such a burden

“Depression.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml.

MacGill, Markus. “Depression: Tests, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 30 Nov. 2017, www.medicalnewstoday.com/kc/depression-causes-symptoms-treatments-8933.

Schimelpfening, Nancy. “When Were the Earliest Accounts of Depression?” Verywell Mind, www.verywellmind.com/who-discovered-depression-1066770.

Tracyn. “Effects of Depression: Physical, Social Effects of Depression.” HealthyPlace, Healthy Place, 2 Jan. 2012, www.healthyplace.com/depression/effects/effects-of-depression-physical-social-effects-of-depression.

Gholipour, Bahar. “Depression: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments.”LiveScience, Purch, 22 Aug. 2017, www.livescience.com/34718-depression-treatment-psychotherapy-anti-depressants.html.

“New Research Points to Better Way to Treat Depression.” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 1 Mar. 2018,www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180301125040.htm.

“Majority of Teens Experienced Signs of Depression, Poll.” HealthCorps, 23 July 2018, www.healthcorps.org/news-2017-05-depression/.

“Camus and Absurdity.” Philosophy Talk,www.philosophytalk.org/blog/camus-and-absurdity.